Biosphere Eco-Cities Canada
Create sustainability through people. This site explains how.
Biosphere Eco-Cities Canada
photo credit: John Morrell

About

PURPOSE OF THIS WEBSITE

 To explain the Biosphere Eco-City (BEC) approach

To make it easy for people in any city to try aspects of the BEC approach

BIOSHERE ECO-CITY MISSION

To move cities towards sustainability, quickly and effectively

To engage people to create a culture of sustainability, that will motivate key sectors of society and will complement other initiatives.

WHY THE NAME BIOSPHERE ECO-CITY?

The “Biosphere” is the collection of all life on Earth. The word “Eco-City” refers to a global movement for sustainable cities. Together they symbolize the goal of sustainability that will protect the Biosphere.

WHY TRY THE BIOSPHERE ECO-CITY APPROACH?

BEC is a simple, flexible and affordable approach to bring sustainability to cities world over. It has been tested for over 10 years and achieved sustainability goals at a low cost.

HOW A BIOSPHERE ECO-CITY WORKS

BEC divides sustainability into 10 Themes that make it easier to understand, and bring people together on common areas of interest.

BEC uses Tools to engage people and organizations in activities for sustainability.

BEC also applies Processes of Science, Education, Communication and Culture, to make projects more successful.

For details, see the BEC model

HOW TO DEVELOP A BIOSPHERE ECO-CITY

BEC may begin in a city in any of a number of ways – through a non-profit organizations, an association of partners, a municipal committee etc. This is discussed in the BEC Model. But a key choice to make is whether to create a complete BEC structure at the start, of just apply one aspect of the BEC approach (e.g. Theme-based Workshops, or Sustainability Plans) and go from there.

THIS WEBSITE CAN HELP BIOSPHERE ECO-CITIES CONNECT

Currently there are BEC initiatives in two cities, Ottawa and Toronto, Canada. As the BEC network grows internationally, more cities and examples will be posted on the website. Please, check back often!

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INFORMATION THAT MAY BE OBTAINED ON REQUEST

Resources are available on how to implement BEC activities. You can request them on the Contact page.

Plans and Handbooks

We’d be happy to send you these manuals and handbooks that we developed for use in Ottawa and Toronto. But we want your contact information and city for three reasons:

  • to know where these documents might be used,
  • to offer advice or feedback on their application,
  • to send you revisions if they are developed.

Handbook to create a self-guided sutainabiltiy tour for your city

  • Handbook for a school to create a sustainability plan
  • Instructor training manual for a school sustainability plan
  • Student training manual for a school sustainability plan

Handbook to create a self-guided sustainability tour for your neighbourhood

Manual to create a community sustainability plan

PHOTO

DESCRIPTION

CAPTION

  

Hero image

People holding up books

Photo by  John Morrell

  

Picture 1

High line park in New York City

NYC High Line in Scientific American 2011 P67

  

Picture 2

Building University of Ottawa

Photo by J. Birtch

  

Picture 3

Space shot of Mediterranean

Photo by Pixabay

  

Picture 4

Water samples at dock

Photo credit: Cassidy Swanson

  

Picture 5

Man and sign

Author Rob Alvo. Photo by J. Birtch

  

Picture 6

Cyclists at info table

Launch of Ottawa Sustainability Tour. Photo by J. Birtch

  

Picture 7

Jamel & James

United Arab Emirates. Photographer unknown.

  

Picture 8

Picture of old school

School Sustainability Plan Handbook. Photo by J. Birtch

  

Picture 9

Two young girls in a garden

Photo credit: Canadian Geographic – October 2011 P 63